Sites and habitats

The quality and character of Devon’s landscape has long been recognised as one of the county’s most important assets and the reason why our biodiversity is so diverse. Devon’s complex geology has created a striking diversity of landscapes including windswept high moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor, heathlands, secluded valleys, rugged coastlines, sweeping bays and rolling farmland.

The importance of these landscapes is reflected by 35% of Devon being covered by a landscape designation. We have two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Blackdown Hills, East Devon, North Devon, South Devon and Tamar Valley). National and local designations provide status for some of our most threatened sites at varying levels of protection. Whilst statutory sites are managed by Natural England, DBRC are the custodian of the Local Sites framework in Devon.